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Background: Medical experts for many years have daunted the occurrence of pregnancy in homozygote sickle cell patients. This is because of associated high risk for mother and fetus. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and maternal and fetal outcome of pregnant mothers with sickle cell disease at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of medical case files of all booked pregnant mothers who attended the antenatal clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from January 2007 to December 2011. The parameters extracted from the folders included: age, level of education, hemoglobin genotype, full blood count, malaria parasite, urine analysis and culture, complications of pregnancy, Apgar scores and birth weight. Results: A total of 4,650 mothers were booked for antenatal care. Eight hundred and forty (18.1%) of them were HbAS, five (0.1%) were HbAC, nine (0.2%) were HbSS and 1(0.02%) HbSC. Age and gestation at booking were 18–42 years (mean 28.6± 2.1) and 9–34 weeks gestation (mean 16.6±3.3), respectively. Malaria and vaso-occlusive crisis were the commonest complications encountered in pregnancy. Twenty percent of women had induction of labour and 60% were delivered by emergency caesarean section. Twenty percent had postpartum haemorrhage. Forty four percent of women delivered before 37 completed weeks. Birth weight below 2500 g occurred in 50% of singleton pregnancies. Two neonates developed transient complications related to maternal opiate exposure postnatally. There were 2(20%) maternal and fetal losses from toxaemia of pregnancy. Conclusion: Pregnancy is uncommon among females with sickle cell disease in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Sickle cell disease remains a severe complicating factor to pregnancy and associated with increased fetal and maternal losses.
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Aim: To determine the prevalence of congenital malaria among newborn babies delivered at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Antenatal clinic and labour ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January and September 2010. Methodology: This study was conducted among 281 pregnant women attending antenatal services at the hospital. Socio-demographic and obstetric information of the mothers was collected. Samples of cord blood smears of babies were stained with Giemsa and examined for malaria parasites. Results: Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria parasite species. The prevalence of congenital malaria among newly born was 9.6%. This was more prevalent in women of Para 0 (5.3%) compared to other parities (4.3%) (P = 0.048). Malaria parasite was found in 4(16.7%) of preterm and 23(8.9%) of term deliveries (P>0.05). Conclusion: Congenital malaria is still common in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is important that blood smear from neonates are taken and examined for malaria parasite soon after birth. Malaria prevention measures such as intermittent preventive treatment, prompt management of all malaria cases and use of insecticide treated bed nets should be emphasized for all pregnant women.
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Background and Aim: Anaemia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the tropics. World Health Organization estimated that anaemia affects one-quarter of the world's population and is concentrated within preschool age children and in resource-poor countries like ours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of anaemia in critically ill children presenting at the Children Emergency Ward of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of anaemic children (1 month to 16 years) admitted into the Children Emergency Ward of the UPTH from January to December 2010. Medical case notes of the patients were reviewed. Information obtained included age, gender, presenting complaints, diagnosis, packed cell volume (PCV), blood transfusion and outcome. The PCV was determined by microhaemtocrit method. Data generated were analysed using SPSS for widow, version 12.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago Illinois, USA). Descriptive statistics in the form of the frequency and percentage were used. Results: There were a total of 1581 children admitted into the Children Emergency Ward of the UPTH during the period of study. Four hundred and twenty three were confirmed to have anaemia of varying degree giving a prevalence of 26.8%. Most 295(69.7%) of the mothers were poorly educated and live in the urban slums. There were more males 418(67.1%) than females 205(32.9%). Fever, vomiting and weakness were the main presenting features. Ninety two patients (6.3%) had mild anaemia, 102 patients (6.5%) had moderate anaemia and 229 patients (14.5%) had severe anaemia. Two hundred and twelve of the critically ill children (50.1%) were transfused on account of severe anaemia. Malaria and septiicaemia were the commonest associated morbid conditions. Twenty five deaths were recorded. Severe anaemia accounted for 13(52.0%) of the total deaths. Conclusion: Anaemia is prevalent among Nigerian children in critical condition. Severe anemia is common and associated with increased risk of clinically relevant outcomes such as hospitalization and mortality.
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Background: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disease characterized by loss of the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) of the skin; hair and mucous membranes (lips and genitalia); with subsequent development of white patches. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological pattern of vitiligo in Port Harcourt; south-south Nigeria. Methods: This was a prospective study of 82 cases of vitiligo seen in the dermatological clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH); Port Harcourt; Nigeria from May 2005 to April 2009. All ages were included in this study. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 15. Descriptive statistics in the form of the frequency and percentage were used. Chi square was used to test relationship between variables. P0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were a total of 1;652 dermatological disorders during the study period. Eighty two patients had vitiligo giving a prevalence of 4.96. There were more females 45(54.9) than males 37(45.1) giving male: female ratio of 0.8:1. Vitiligo is commoner from the age of 20 years to 30 years (32.9). The head and neck region was the most common site of onset of the lesion and accounted for 28of cases. Generalized vitiligo [29(35.4)] was the most frequently found pattern of distribution. Positive family history was found in 6 cases (7.3). Eighteen (22.0) patients suffered from other diseases such as thyroid dysfunction [8(9.8)]; anaemia [4(4.9)]; atopic dermatitis [2(2.4)]; diabetes mellitus [1(1.2)]; anxiety disorder [1(1.2)]; collagen vascular disease [1(1.2)] and oligomenorrhoea [1(1.2)]. Conclusion: The pattern of vitiligo seen is similar to that reported from other parts of the world. There is also need to look for associated disorder in any case of vitiligo
Subject(s)
Home Care Services , Signs and Symptoms , Vitiligo/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background: Long-distance drivers are away from home for days and often times they visit roadside hotels for food; rest; leisure; alcohol; and become prey for commercial sex workers. Aim: To determine the current sexual life style of long distance drivers from Port Harcourt to western and northern parts of Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional survey of long distance drivers to western and northern parts of Nigeria in five motor parks in Port Harcourt metropolis was conducted. The drivers were involved in questionnaire-based interview from 1st February to 31st July 2007. Results: Ninety-four long journey drivers were studied. Sixty-one (64.9) were married with children while 33(35.1) were single. The respondents all had multiple sexual partners ranging from 2-5; with an average of three during the past one year. Twenty-six (27.7) admitted use of condom. Most [81(86.2)] of the sexual practices were vaginal. Forty-three (45.7) of the respondents drank alcohol when on long distance journey while 28(29.8) admitted having sexually transmitted diseases during the past one year. Eighty-one (86.2) of the respondents had knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that long-journey drivers are important in spreading sexually transmitted and HIV infections in this country. There is therefore; need to find effective strategies to persuade long journey drivers to change their risky sexual behaviour
Subject(s)
HIV , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Life Style , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
Background: Skin diseases are frequently encountered in the tropics and are a serious cause of morbidity, disfigurement and distress in all age groups. The aim of this study is to determine prevalence and common dermatological conditions encountered in UPTH. Methods: Children aged 0-16 years attending the dermatology clinic in UPTH from June 2005 to November 2007 were prospectively studied. Results: A total of 1,226 skin disorders were seen, 247 (20.1%) were children aged 0-16 years. Skin disorder was commoner in females 139(56.3%) than males 108(43.7%). Papular urticaria 36(14.6%), atopic dermatitis 34(13.8%) and tinea 31(12.6%) were the most commonly observed childhood skin diseases. Conclusions: Skin diseases such as papular urticaria and atopic dermatitis are important dermatological problems in our environment. Implementation of public health policies and improvement in personal hygiene would reduce the prevalence of skin diseases in Nigerian children